Restraint-Free Educational Talks


Keeping true to our restraint-free policy, we recently delivered an educational talk for the WI — and what an evening it was! I took five owls, each one a testament to the time and patience we’ve invested in shaping behaviour through trust rather than control.

It’s always a nerve-wracking moment when you open that crate and let an owl step into a new environment. Once that door opens, the owl has total freedom and choice. In a  large room full of people, that can feel like a leap of faith — but it’s also the most honest reflection of what we stand for.

One of our southern white-faced owls decided that the curtain pole was the perfect perch for quite a long time but he did come down eventually so then we could introduce the other owls.  The others followed their training beautifully, showing calm confidence and connection. And then there was Loki, true to form — wandering under chairs, circling the room, making sure everyone noticed her cheeky personality!

And you know what? People loved it. Instead of seeing an owl tethered to a glove, they experienced real interaction — genuine, unscripted, natural behaviour. Each owl showed its individual character, and the audience could see their mischievous, curious sides come to life.

The feedback we received was incredible — not only about the owls, but also about the bond and trust between us. All of my owls are crate-trained, and while I had no guarantees on the night that they’d behave perfectly, that unpredictability actually added to the magic.

Was it scary? Absolutely. But it also felt like a turning point — proof that going restraint-free was the right decision. Yes, it brings challenges and a touch more risk, but it also brings integrity, respect, and freedom and respect from our audience, who had never seen anything quite like it.  

Animal welfare is no longer an afterthought — it’s the heart of what we do. The message is simple: we can build trusting working relationships with animals, not through dominance, but through understanding.

We can shape the environment — but the owls can choose what they do within it. And that’s where true connection begins.  

Thank you to Westbury Sun  Mendip for trusting us and making that night so special.  

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